Starting January 25, 2017 at 10 a.m., campers will be able to book campsites on-line for camping at the Left Tailrace Campground at the Big Bend Project near Ft. Thompson SD. Reservations may be made on-line at Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 to make your reservation.
In the past the Left Tailrace Campground was a first come first served facility.

Big Bend Dam is located near Chamberlain, S.D., at River Mile 987.4. Although, the dam has a unique bend in its embankement,
Big Bend Dam takes its name from the unique bend in the Missouri River seven miles upstream from the dam. At this point in its course, the Missouri makes almost a complete loop, traveling 25 miles before returning to the "neck" where the land is only about one mile wide.

Power generation began at Big Bend Dam in 1964 and the entire complex was completed in 1966. Big Bend hydroelectric power plant is operated to meet peak demands for electricity in the Missouri River Basin. The power plant houses eight units with combined maximum generation capacity of 494,320 kilowatts. This is enough power for about 95,000 homes. The first unit went into operation in 1964 and by 1966 all eight generators were producing commercial electricity.

Location: Near Chamberlain, S.D., River Mile 987.4

Big Bend Dam takes its name from the unique bend in the Missouri River seven miles upstream from the dam. At this point in its course, the Missouri makes almost a complete loop, traveling 25 miles before returning to the "neck" where the land is only about one mile wide. Lake Sharpe is named for former South Dakota Governor, Merrill Q. Sharpe, who was instrumental in implementing the construction of the Corps' dams on the Missouri River.

People have inhabited the shores of the Missouri River for thousands of years. As the environment changed over the millennia, so did the methods early people utilized to survive. Early groups inhabited isolated locations such as wooded draws and terraces which offered protection from the elements and access to food sources. By the time European explorers arrived in this area in the 18th century , earth lodge villages of the Arikara tribes lined the bluffs along the river. Eventually, the Arikara were gradually displaced by Dakota and Lakota people moving into the area from the east.

It is this mix of Arikara villages and Dakota and Lakota encampments that the Lewis and Clark expedition encountered upon reaching the Big Bend region on September 19, 1804. Their journals are filled with vivid descriptions of the area and its inhabitants.

During the first part of the 19th century, the history of Big Bend was one of exploration and trading. Trading posts and military forts were soon established as people arrived by boat up the Missouri. Scattered early white settlements began at this time.

The northeast end of the dam is located near the site of Fort Thompson, a reservation headquarters established in 1863 for Santee Sioux and Winnebago agencies.

The Santee and Winnebago Tribes were soon relocated further downstream, and in 1865 the Lower Yanktonai, a subdivision of the Dakota tribe, were gathered on the reservation.

The towns of Fort Thompson and Lower Brule were relocated to their present sites in the early 1950's before the old town sites were flooded due to the construction of the Fort Randall Dam.

Big Bend Dam was constructed under the Pick- Sloan Plan for development of the Missouri River Basin. During the peak construction period, a work force of 1,300 people was involved in the construction of the dam.

Today, approximately 80,000 acres of public lands and water provide a variety of benefits to the public including flood control, recreation, conservation of our natural resources, fish and wildlife habitat, irrigation, and hydropower production.

It is possible to view many types of wildlife on the Missouri River at Lake Sharpe. Tribal bison herds can be seen grazing the lake area's grasslands north of the towns of Fort Thompson and Lower Brule. The shoreline areas of the lake also offer excellent waterfowl, upland game birds and big game hunting opportunities. Big game animals include whitetail and mule deer, elk, bison, coyotes and wild turkeys. Waterfowl and upland game birds include ducks, geese, pheasants, prairie chickens, and grouse. Hunting regulations are established and enforced by the State of South Dakota, and the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Tribes.

Lake Sharpe provides many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Recreation areas vary from primitive to highly developed areas like the Left Tailrace area located below the dam. Facilities at the Left Tailrace include campsites with electrical hookups, comfort stations with showers, a dump station, boat ramp, fish cleaning station, courtesy dock, picnic shelters, tables, grills, drinking water and playground.

Fishing is a very popular activity on Lake Sharpe and in the tailwater area. Walleye is the primary sport fish although sauger, small mouth bass, white bass, channel catfish, and northern pike are also fished from the lake.

The Missouri Basin River Forecast Center is part of a network of 13 River Forecast Centers across the U.S. River Forecast Centers collect, process and provide forecasts and information about water resources for major river basins across the country.

TItle 36, Parks, Forests, & Public Property, Chapter 3; Code of Federal Regs. - Rules and regulations for public use including hunting and recreation activities on USACE water resource development projects.

Big Bend News

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking comments on the draft revision of the Big Bend Dam and Lake Sharpe Project’s Master Plan and its associated Environmental Assessment through Feb. 15, 2019, in conjunction with a public scoping meeting Jan. 24.

The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a public scoping meeting on Thursday, February 23, 2017 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Big Bend Project Office, 33573 N Shore Road, Fort Thompson, South Dakota 57325 to gather input on the development of the Big Bend Master plan and the associated Environmental Assessment. Comments must be postmarked or received by March 13, 2017.

Fees changes are coming to campsites operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at several locations in South Dakota including Lake Sharpe at Big Bend Dam, Cold Brook Lake and Dam, and Cottonwood Springs Lake and Dam.
Changes occurring at Oahe Dam and Lake will only be to campsites in North Dakota.

With the upcoming holiday, rangers at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recreation areas across the Missouri Basin want to remind the public about a few rules and policies to help prevent fires, drowning, protect public safety and make for overall enjoyable recreation experiences during the holiday weekend and in the future.

Clean up continues at the Big Bend Left Tailrace Campground at Fort Thompson, S.D. following a severe storm June 19. The area remains closed during this clean-up and the upper loop of the campground should be open by the weekend.

The mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is to deliver vital public and military engineering services; partnering in peace and war to strengthen our nation’s security, energize the economy and reduce risks from disasters.

About the Omaha District

The official public website of the Omaha District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers